How to Re-Root Lilacs

Lilacs are the state flower of New Hampshire.

Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) are more than just a pretty flowering plant. They are useful in many landscaping scenarios, such as for a windscreen, for a border or as a privacy hedge. Lilacs grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. The flowers only last two to three weeks in early spring, but the thick foliage that remains after the blooms fade out makes lilacs a smart addition to any yard.

1

Fill a 4-inch pot with a mixture of equal parts perlite and peat moss. Add water to the pot until the water runs freely out of the bottom. Use your finger to make a hole 2 to 3 inches deep in the center of the substrate. Set the pot aside until you are ready to plant your cutting.

2

Take a cutting from your lilac after the flowers have died off. Choose new growth that it is flexible and green. Use handheld shears to remove six to eight inches from the end of the branch.

3

Cut 2 inches off of the bottom of the cutting. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting so that you are left with four to six leaves in total. Dip the cut end of the branch into a bowl of water and then into a container of hormone rooting powder.

4

Insert the lilac piece into the prepared pot. Gently press the soil around the base of the cutting until it can stand firmly on its own. Place two bamboo skewers into the soil on opposite sides of the pot.

5

Wrap a clear plastic bag around the plant and pot. The skewers will protect the plant and keep it from getting crushed. Use a spray bottle to mist the cutting once per day to maintain a high level of humidity.

6

The cutting will develop roots in about four to six weeks. Test your plant by gently tugging on the base of it. If it is resistant to your pull, then it is ready to be transplanted to its permanent space in your yard.

Things You Will Need

4-inch pot

Perlite

Peat moss

Pruning shears

Bowl

Water

Hormone rooting powder

Bamboo skewers

Clear plastic bag

Spray bottle

Tip

It is difficult to propagate lilacs from cuttings. Plant six to 10 cuttings at a time to increase your chance of success.

About the Author

Melanie Siminick resides on the prairies of Alberta in Canada. She works at an Asian specialty market with an emphasis on Vietnamese cuisine. She is preparing to attend a Library and Information Technology course in 2013.